Under the starry sky, a melodious zither music began to play.
The evening breeze rustled, and all was silent.
After the strange power spread, the Demon God's resentment completely vanished.
Finally, the melody ended.
Leaning against a rock, the young man gently lowered the zither strings.
"My companion, you're amazing."
On his shoulder, the elegant doll girl clapped her hands.
Sandrone leaned against Qin Yu, her eyes softly closing in the stillness.
She wanted to savor this newfound warmth a little longer.
"Was it good?"
Qin Yu smiled and asked softly.
In his eyes, a sun-like golden glint flashed.
It was an unknown energy.
Though not yet perfect, it contained astonishing power.
Qin Yu had temporarily borrowed the power of the mysterious core to dispel the Demon God's resentment.
This also meant that the doll girl, without energy, would enter hibernation.
"This is the most beautiful melody I've ever heard."
Sandrone, nestled beside Qin Yu, lifted her delicate face and smiled.
"The most beautiful? What about Columbia?"
"It's different."
"How is it different?"
"Compared to Sister Columbia, I like you more."
The doll girl blinked her eyes and whispered into Qin Yu's ear.
This must not be heard.
It's a secret between the two of us.
Qin Yu smiled and poked Sandrone's cheek with his finger.
He had wanted to do this for a long time.
"Mmm."
Suddenly ambushed, the doll girl swayed and nearly lost her balance.
Seeing this, Qin Yu's face broke into a smile.
"My companion, you're being mischievous again."
Sandrone snorted softly and poked Qin Yu's face in return.
A short while later.
The doll girl leaned back against Qin Yu.
Her small mouth parted, and she gasped, "My companion… wait… I'm a little tired…"
Her strength was draining away after losing her core energy.
But she wanted to stay by Qin Yu's side a little longer.
Qin Yu gently cupped Sandrone in his palms.
"If you're tired, then sleep."
"I'll always be by your side."
Sandrone hummed softly and obediently closed her eyes.
As if murmuring in her dream, she whispered, "Remember to come back soon, I'm waiting for you."
Qin Yu nodded slightly. "Okay."
"Right, I'll be communicating with you from time to time."
"Along with those sisters…"
Sandrone's lips curved slightly as she reminded him.
Qin Yu: "?"
The mountaintop became chilly again.
…
The doll girl finally fell into a deep sleep.
Qin Yu stood up and let out a long breath.
He knew this was just the beginning.
Their true encounter would be in Inazuma City.
Before that…
"The weather is getting colder."
Qin Yu murmured, deep in thought.
Wait, did he forget about a certain Keqing cat?
The wind grew colder.
"!"
Qin Yu instinctively turned his head.
"Mmm, Qin Yu."
"Am I asleep?"
Keqing, lazy as a cat, stretched.
On her delicate face, there was still a hint of confusion.
She looked like she had just woken up.
Qin Yu walked up to Keqing and asked with concern, "You're awake, how are you feeling?"
"..."
Keqing's eyes lowered, and she didn't respond.
Under the moonlight, she bit her lip, silent for a long time.
She saw it, she saw everything.
This feeling…
Clearly, clearly she had come first!
She felt very bad.
She really wanted to say it all out loud.
But what right did she have, having pretended to be asleep?
"Keqing, why aren't you speaking?"
Qin Yu leaned closer to Keqing and gently reached out his hand.
He sighed inwardly.
He was absolutely seen when Sandrone kissed him just now.
"The wind is strong on the mountaintop, let's go down together."
"...No."
Facing Qin Yu's outstretched hand, Keqing turned her face away.
"I absolutely won't go with you."
"I can do it by myself."
Keqing's eyes lowered, and she murmured.
Her once elated mood plummeted.
Ah… she had spoken against her heart again.
The words she wanted to say yes to turned into a refusal.
Keqing didn't understand why it had become like this.
"Keqing."
Qin Yu looked at Keqing, who was trying hard to appear calm, her lips almost pouting to the sky.
He sighed softly and reached out his hand.
To Keqing's surprise, he gently ruffled her hair.
"Wh-what are you doing!"
Keqing felt inexplicably guilty.
"Little cat who was pretending to sleep, this is your punishment."
Qin Yu withdrew his hand, saying with a serious expression.
It wasn't that he found Keqing cat a little cute.
"I… I just had a dream."
Keqing cat began to talk tough.
"After having a dream, don't you have anything to say?"
Qin Yu crouched in front of Keqing and pointed at himself.
"If you feel unhappy, you can take it out on me."
She probably wouldn't actually hit him, right?
"I...!"
Keqing instinctively raised her little pink fist.
Qin Yu flinched, instinctively dodging.
Is Keqing cat really going to bite?
"Why are you dodging! Are you guilty!"
"Cough, it was an instinctive reaction."
But in the end, Keqing still lowered her hand.
She couldn't bring herself to beat up Qin Yu.
It wasn't because she couldn't bear to!
She pressed her legs together and lowered her head, murmuring, "It's nothing, don't mind me."
The girl whispered.
"Then do you still want to go down the mountain together?"
Qin Yu extended his hand again, smiling.
Like a strange uncle trying to lure a kitten.
"Mm."
Keqing nodded slightly.
Thinking of something, Keqing cat emphasized, "I'm just afraid you'll be in danger alone."
"Don't overthink it!"